Method of dental microscopic procedure

ABSTRACT

A method of dental microscopic procedure, using a digital surgical scope, includes steps for selecting a function of the digital surgical scope to perform, obtaining the corresponding images from the image data taking device or the image data processing/storing device, processing the images by the image data processing/storing device, and displaying the images on the displays. The dental surgical procedure is done by seeing the images displayed on the screen. The digital surgical scope includes a microscope lens assembly for magnifying an optical image of an object and an in-line illumination device for illuminating the object along the same optical axis and from the same direction of the microscope lens assembly. The image data processing/storing device is for manipulating the image taken by the microscope lens assembly and the image data taking device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional application based on patent applicationSer. No. 11/263,817 filed on Nov. 1, 2005 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,433,505.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method of dental microscopicprocedure, which enables dentists to perform dental procedures includingsurgery by seeing the images on a screen, and not looking into a smalleyepiece.

Furthermore, this invention relates to a method of dental microscopicprocedure, which makes recording and manipulating images obtained fromthe digital surgical microscope, an image data taking device moreconvenient.

Current variations of the microscope disrupt the surgery process and dolittle to improve the quality, efficiency, safety, and comfort ofsurgical procedures. Today, many dentists use microscopes, limitingmobility, and causing neck, shoulder, and eye strain. Other telescopicmicroscopes require the dentist to adjust and constantly focus the scopeto get an adequate image, interfering with the process of surgery andlending unnecessary difficulties during the operation. Should thedentist or the patient move, or if the scope gets displaced, relocatethe image, then the image becomes blurry and requires one to refocus.

The present invention will relieve the user of the constant need torefocus due to its broader range, and will rid the user of the physicalchallenges posed by the current market of microscopes such as: eye,neck, shoulder and back strain.

Additionally, the digital surgical scope (DSS) offers tools and devicesto improve future dental procedures and surgeries. The digital surgicalscope offers a magnified (combined optical and digital zoom) highquality display of the surgery, as it happens in real time; while theimaging software allows the recording of streaming video and capturingof snap shots during surgery.

Unlike prior microscopes, the digital surgical scope is all-inclusive,offering the previously unavailable convenience of its all-in-onecombination which includes: patient management, image processingsoftware, in-line light illumination assembly, video camera unit,computer and monitor.

In addition the digital surgical scope is also unique in that it ishighly maneuverable. It can be moved in virtually any direction and/orangle, unlike traditional scopes that are much more limited indirectional/angle maneuverability.

Also, the digital surgical scope uniquely offers a realistic depth offield. Currently, available microscopes with attached video camera canonly display a limited depth of field; thus making the practice ofdentistry with the traditional microscope much more difficult. The depthof field of the digital surgical scope allows the dentist to see betterwhile performing more difficult operations.

The digital surgical scope method is unique in that it offers digitalenhancement to the image, allowing for much greater magnification thantraditional scopes. For instance, 120× (combining optical and digitalzoom) versus a maximum of 40× with traditional scopes.

The imaging software allows the user to record images either in astreaming video or photo snapshot directly to the patient's database. Noother equipment sold today allows this function.

The dentist need not peer into a scope to perform procedures; instead,he/she can sit comfortably and view his/her work with more magnificationon a monitor. He/she can also share this view with the patient or staff.

A split screen allows one to view various types of images including:photos and streaming video, simultaneously.

Traditional equipment limits the dentist. With a loupe and headlighthe/she is tethered to the cord by the headlamp, resulting in poorergonomics.

According to a published study, “80% of dentists suffer from chronicback and neck pain.” The digital surgical scope will relieve the dentistfrom neck, back, and eye strain by allowing him/her to sit upright andgiving more freedom to move. No other dental microscopic device on themarket today can make that claim.

Accordingly, a need for a digital surgical scope has been present for along time. This invention is directed to solve these problems andsatisfy the long-felt need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention contrives to solve the disadvantages of the priorart.

An object of the invention is to provide a method of dental microscopicprocedure, which enables dentists to perform dental procedures includingsurgery by seeing the live images on a screen and not looking into asmall eyepiece.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method of dentalmicroscopic procedure, which makes recording and manipulating the imagesobtained from the microscope and X-ray convenient.

The invention provides a method of dental microscopic procedure, whichutilizes a digital surgical scope including in-line lens with in-lineillumination assembly.

A method of dental microscopic procedure using a digital surgical scopeincludes steps for: selecting a function of the digital surgical scopeto perform, obtaining the corresponding live or still images from theimage data taking device or the live or still image dataprocessing/storing device, processing the live or still images by theimage data processing/storing device, and displaying the live or stillimages on the displays.

The dental surgical procedure is done by seeing the live or still imagesdisplayed on the display.

The digital surgical scope includes a digital surgical microscope, animage data taking device, an image data processing/storing device, andone or more displays for displaying the live or still image from theimage data processing device.

The digital surgical scope includes a microscope lens assembly formagnifying an optical live image of an object, and an in-lineillumination device for illuminating the object along the same opticalaxis from the same direction of the microscope lens assembly.

The purpose for the image data processing/storing device is to store andmanipulate the image taken by the microscope lens assembly and the imagedata taking device.

The function of the digital surgical scope includes: capturing stillimages, streaming video images, enhancing images, replaying videoimages, browsing the history, and panning window. The process ofcapturing images includes: adjusting the quality of the image, capturingthe adjusted image, and replaying the image until another function isexecuted. The captured image is stored in the image dataprocessing/storing device.

The quality of the image includes: white balance, RGB color/Gamma value,viewing area, zoom in/out, and full screen display. The quality is alsoadjusted by controlling the gain, offset, and exposure of the image datataking device. The process of capturing the adjusted image includessteps of capturing a snap image or a video. The process of capturing theadjusted image includes steps of deleting the image, saving the image,and refreshing the image.

The process of enhancing images includes steps of adjusting the qualityof the image, analyzing the image, and annotating the image. The qualityof the image includes: brightness and contrast, edge enhancement, andhistogram contrast. The step of analyzing the images includes: steps tomanipulate the image to rotate, zoom in/out, pan, magnify, and measuregeometrical dimension of the image. The step of manipulating includes astep to control the amount of light to the digital surgical scope withan iris.

The process of annotating the image includes steps of adding text andgeometrical objects, which include lines and shapes.

The process of browsing the history includes steps of showing all of thestored images in thumbnail format, showing the images taken from theimage data taking device along with images imported from outside of thesystem, comparing between the images from the image data taking deviceand the images from outside of the system, and selecting and displayingimages out of the stored or displayed multiple images. The image fromoutside of the system includes X-ray exam images. The process ofbrowsing the history further includes steps of selecting one or moreimages from the multiple images stored in the image dataprocessing/storing device and showing the selected images on thedisplays.

The process of panning window includes steps of displaying live videoimages on the window screen, locating an area from streaming live videoimage, manipulating the located window, and displaying the manipulatedwindow screen. The live window screen and the manipulated window screenare displayed within the same display. The process of manipulatingincludes scanning, magnifying, and zooming in and out, and the step oflocating includes steps of tracking a cursor of a predeterminedgeometrical shape and zooming inside the cursor.

The process of Panning Window indicates steps of displaying live videoimages on the window screen, locating an area of interest from astreaming live video screen, locating an area of interest from streaminglive video image, manipulating the located window, and displaying themanipulated window screen. The Panning Window function allows a dentistto both magnify and scan an area without having to move, re-focus, andre-adjust the camera or patient. The Panning Window enables the dentistto easily scan a specific tooth, surrounding teeth, or gum line by usinga mouse to drag the locator box, which indicates the selected area onthe screen with a red outlined box, accordingly. The live andmanipulated window screen is shown within the same display. By clickingon the Panning Window icon, the Panning Window will appear on the leftside of the Capture Window. When the Panning Window appears, the Zoom Inicon must be clicked. Once the image has been zoomed in, the dentistwill be able to use the Panning Window to explore the patient's affectedarea by dragging the locator box within the Panning Window. The dentistcan also use the mouse to move within the Panning Window to scan andmagnify the activated area by the locator box.

The image data processing/storing device stores, manipulates, anddisplays the image data from the image data taking device for dentaltreatment and surgery. The digital surgical scope displays finest imagesfrom the substantial distance which allows him/her plenty of comfortableworkspace to perform his/her procedures on the patient, and the digitalsurgical scope includes an articulating mechanical arm to maneuver thedigital surgical scope three-dimensionally.

The method further includes steps of deleting the images, exporting theimages, importing images from outside of the system, multi-viewing,printing the images, and managing the images with a database, whereinthe database is organized according to the patients.

The system further includes a plurality of digital surgical scopes, acommunication network, and one or more controls for controlling thebehavior of the image data processing/storing device. Also, a detachablemirror or a reflecting mechanism material such as a prism, disposed on aextended bar from the digital surgical scope for reflecting images fromthe inside of mouth to the digital surgical scope. The control includesa button, a pedal, and a lever. The method further includes steps ofdisplaying the images on one or more remote displays, streaming andbroadcasting the video images through the communication network viainternet, and controlling the behavior of the image data taking deviceand the image data processing/storing device with the controls.

The image data taking device includes a charge coupled device (CCD) or acomplementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS). The image dataprocessing/storing device includes a computer.

The in-line illumination device includes a light source, and a beamsplitter, and the light source includes a fiber optic device and emitslight parallel to the optical axis of the microscope.

The mirror or prism changes the direction of the light from the lightsource by ninety (90) degrees or different angles. Also, the lightsource may emit directly to the beam splitter without a mirror or prism.The beam splitter is disposed in the optical axis of the microscope withforty five (45) or ninety (90) angles to the optical axis. The digitalsurgical scope further includes a main box, a fiber optic cable, andimage data taking device.

The digital surgical scope has an adjustable magnification up to onehundred twenty (120) times including optical and digital zoom and couldbe higher in near future.

The method further includes steps of creating a database of informationon a new patient and searching for information or an exam history on apredetermined patient from the database.

Alternatively, a dental microscopic procedure, using a digital surgicalscope, includes steps for a) creating an entry in the database for a newpatient; b) selecting a predetermined patient and retrieving the relatedinformation from the database; c) displaying the retrieved information;d) creating a new exam for the patient; e) opening the exam history andselecting an exam of the patient; f) capturing still images; g)enhancing images; h) storing streaming video images; i) browsing ahistory of the patient; and j) selecting and performing functions on theimages, wherein the function includes deleting, exporting, importing,multi-viewing, printing, and managing the images with the database.

The process of capturing still images and/or storing streaming videoimages includes: c1) adjusting live image quality by adjusting thecamera controls, white balance, RGB color gamma value, viewing area,zoom in, zoom out, and full screen, wherein the camera control includesgain, offset, and exposure; c2) viewing the adjusted live image; c3)capturing a snapshot image and a video clip; c4) controlling thecapturing with a foot pedal or a button; c5) replaying the capturedimage or video; and c6) viewing details of the image or video byselecting functions of deleting, saving, and refreshing.

The process of enhancing images includes: e1) adjusting the imagequality by controlling brightness, contrast, edge enhancement, andhistogram contrast; e2) analyzing the images to manipulate the image torotate, zoom in, zoom out, pan, magnify, and measure geometricaldimension, wherein the geometrical dimension includes angles, lengths,distances between two points; and e3) annotating the image for addingtext and geometrical objects, wherein the geometrical objects includeslines and shapes.

The process of browsing the history of patient includes b1) showing allimages in thumbnail format; b2) showing the digital surgical microscopeimage and X-ray images; b3) showing the comparison of the digitalsurgical scope video image and the X-ray image; b4) comparing images byselecting multiple images and multi-viewing; and b5) presenting a casefor patient by selecting multiple images to present a possible treatmentplan or treatment result from previous problems.

The digital surgical scope utilizes the best digital technology toimprove upon the microscope. The current invention allows for a digitalcamera, which is placed at a distance of 2˜20 inches from the patient'smouth, to capture the streaming live video image of any dentalprocedures/surgery to be displayed on one or more monitors in highresolution with adjustable magnification, optical zoom and digital zoomcombined, during the dental procedure and surgery. Dentists can recordthe streaming video images in the built-in hard drive, with the computersoftware database, or an optional external driver or a DVD recorder, forclinical charting, future referencing, training, documentation, or otheruses. The streaming video can be displayed in multiple monitors indifferent locations/rooms and can be transmitted to a streaming videobroadcast via the internet.

The invention includes the transfer of the image with the adjustablemagnification and the display of the live/streaming intraoral image onthe monitor during the dental procedure/surgery. The camera head, can bekept outside of the mouth at least 2˜20 inches away from the mouth.

The advantages of the present invention are: (1) the method and systemof dental microscopic procedures does not require a dentist to peer intoa stationary eyepiece of the microscope so the dentist can view the areaof interest displayed on a screen in comfort; (2) the system of theinvention magnifies the image many times more than traditionalmicroscopes and loupes with the addition of digital enhancement; (3)with the system of the invention, the dentist does not have to refocuswhen the patient moves in the chair. The field of view is large thatrepositioning the area of interest, refocusing is not necessary. Withtraditional scopes and loupes, the field of view decreases withmagnification, and work must cease while the dentist refocuses for eachslight movement. Additionally, in order to focus on a different area ofinterest while zoomed in, the dentists must first zoom out, identify thearea of interest, zoom back in, and refocus. By contrast, the systemrequires no extra steps, only minimal adjustment is needed; (4) theimage processing and management software of the invention allows thedentist to take photos, or stream video, and save them directly to thepatient's digital file, within the patient database. These files aresaved on the included hard drive or an optional external drive, withalmost no effort and no interruption in the procedure. With a click ofthe button, or foot pedal, the dentist saves the still image or thestreaming video, whichever he chooses, or both, to the built-in computeror an optional external drive connected to the USB port or other methodsuch as firewire and so on. No other scope available today can offerthat feature which provides for better documentation of procedures andupdating patient's charts; (5) the system is able to display thesurgical scope images and X-ray images together, side-by-side, on asplit screen, this provides for a better diagnostic tool; (6) the systemhas the capability of displaying streaming video or recorded images onmultiple monitors at one time, which is highly advantageous inpresentation or educational meetings; (7) the system improves theergonomics greatly, which frees the dentists from prolonged physicalstrain. The dentist is freer in his movements and needs not bend overwith the weight of loupes and headlights burdening him, causing himpain; (8) the system is highly mobile. Because the system has noeyepiece, the dentist can move the camera head virtually any angle orposition that he/she wishes, even at the side of the patient's mouth,which is impossible with the traditional microscope; (9) the learningcurve for the system is very short. The dentist does not have to becomeversed in microscopic techniques. The digital display of the image on amonitor and the clear and simple push button operation of the systemmake it simple for anyone to use; (10) the depth of field is unequalledin any other scope. The depth of field is absolutely necessary in dentalprocedures because the dentist needs an accurate representation of thedimensionality of the mouth in order to work accurately. Without depthof field the mouth appears to be a flat surface with no dimension.Analog scopes, that have a video camera attached, have no/or limiteddepth of field, making it difficult to perform almost any procedure thatrequires the dentist to discern the three-dimensional environment of themouth; (11) the system is a digital microscope; (12) the system offers adigital microscope with an all-in-one package including image processingand management software, computer with hard drive for image and datastorage, 17″ LCD monitor, control panels, built-in motorized videocamera; (13) the view of the camera can be adjusted without looking intoan eyepiece, from a comfortable sitting position all viewing adjustmentscan be made with the click of a button; and (14) the field of viewremains large even during high magnification, not losing sight of thelarger picture.

Although the present invention is briefly summarized, the fullerunderstanding of the invention can be obtained by the followingdrawings, detailed description and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a digital surgical scope according tothe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a method of dental microscopic procedureaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a step of capturing images;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a step of enhancing images;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a step of browsing history;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a step of panning;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a digital surgical scope;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the digital surgical microscope;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a network of the digital surgicalscope;

FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of the digital surgical scope with adetachable mirror;

FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of the digital surgical scope with adetachable mirror; and

FIG. 12 is a screen shot showing the panning function.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a digital surgical scope 100according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a flow chart showing a method S1000 of dental microscopicprocedure according to the present invention.

The method S1000 of dental microscopic procedure, using a digitalsurgical scope 100, includes steps for selecting (S1022) a function ofthe digital surgical scope 100 to perform, obtaining (S1100) thecorresponding images from the image data taking device 12 or the imagedata processing/storing device 30 (refer to FIGS. 1, 7, and 8),processing (S1200, S1300) the images by the image dataprocessing/storing device 30, and displaying (S1014) the images on thedisplays 20 as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

The dental surgical procedure is done by seeing the images displayed onthe display 20.

The digital surgical scope 100 includes a digital surgical scope 10, animage data taking device 12, an image data processing/storing device 30,and one or more displays 20 for displaying the image from the image dataprocessing device/storing 30.

As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the digital surgical scope 10 includes amicroscope lens assembly 14 for magnifying an optical image of an object90 and an in-line illumination device 16 for illuminating the object 90along the same optical axis 91 and from the same direction of themicroscope lens assembly 14. The illumination device 16 includes a fiberoptic light source 19, a beam splitter 18, and a fiber optic cable 17.

The image data processing/storing device 30 is for manipulating theimage taken by the microscope lens assembly 14 and the image data takingdevice 12.

The function of the digital surgical scope 100 includes capturing imagesS1100 (refer to FIG. 3), enhancing images S1200 (refer to FIG. 4),browsing the history S1300 (refer to FIG. 5), and panning window inS1208 (refer to FIG. 4). The step of capturing images S1100 includessteps of adjusting quality of the image S1102, capturing the adjustedimages and video (S1106, S1110, S1114; S1108, S1112, S1116, S1118) andreplaying the image (S1120, S1126, S1130) until another function isexecuted. The captured image is stored in the image dataprocessing/storing device 30. The step of panning streaming video imageon a window screen S1250 in S1208 is shown in detail in FIG. 6.

The quality of the image includes white balance, RGB color/Gamma value,viewing area, zoom in/out, and full screen. The quality is also adjustedby controlling the gain, offset, and exposure of the image data takingdevice 12. The step of capturing the adjusted image S1100 includes stepsof capturing a snap image or a streaming video S1106, S1108. The step ofcapturing the adjusted image S1100 includes steps of deleting the image,saving the image, and refreshing the image S1124.

The step of enhancing images S1200 includes steps of adjusting qualityof the image S1202, S1204, analyzing the image S1206, S1208, andannotating the image S1210, S1212. The quality of the image includesbrightness and contrast, edge enhancement, and histogram contrast. Thestep of analyzing the images S1208 includes steps to manipulate theimage to rotate, zoom in/out, pan, magnify, and measure geometricaldimension of the image. The step of manipulating includes a step tocontrol the amount of light to the digital surgical scope with an iristhat is in the fiber optic light source 19.

The step of annotating the image S1210 includes steps of adding text andgeometrical objects, which includes lines and shapes.

The step of browsing the history S1300 includes steps of showing all ofthe stored images in thumbnail format (S1302, S1308, S1314), showing theimages taken from the image data taking device along with imagesimported from outside (S1304, S1310, S1316), comparing between theimages from the image data taking device and the images from outside(S1306, S1312, S1318), and selecting and displaying images out of thestored or displayed multiple images (S1308, S1310, S1312). The imagefrom outside of the system 100 includes X-ray exam images as in S1304,S1310, S1316, S1312, S1318.

The step of browsing the history S1300 further includes steps ofselecting one or more images from the multiple images stored in theimage data processing/storing device 30 (S1322, S1324) and showing theselected images on the displays 20 (S1332).

The process of panning window includes: displaying a live window screen,locating an area of interest from the live window screen, manipulatingthe located window, and displaying the manipulated window screen. Thelive window screen and the manipulated window screen are displayed onthe same display 20. The process of manipulating includes: scanning,magnifying, and zooming in and out, and the process of locating includestracking a cursor of a predetermined geometrical shape and zoominginside the cursor.

As shown in FIG. 12, the process of Panning Window indicates steps ofdisplaying live video images on the window screen 90, locating an area91 of interest from a streaming live video screen 90, locating an area92 of interest from streaming live video image 91, manipulating thelocated window 92, and displaying the manipulated window screen 94. ThePanning Window function allows a dentist to both magnify and scan thearea 94 without having to move, re-focus, and re-adjust the camera orpatient using controls including the clickable controls 96. The PanningWindow enables the dentist to easily scan a specific tooth, surroundingteeth, or gum line by using a mouse to drag the locator box 93, whichindicates the selected area on the screen with a red outlined box,accordingly. The live and manipulated window screen is shown within thesame display 99. By clicking on the Panning Window icon, the PanningWindow will appear on the left side of the Capture Window. When thePanning Window appears, the Zoom In icon must be clicked. Once the imagehas been zoomed in, the dentist will be able to use the Panning Windowto explore the patient's affected area by dragging the locator boxwithin the Panning Window. The dentist can also use the mouse to movewithin the Panning Window to scan and magnify the activated area by thelocator box.

The image data processing/storing device 30 stores, manipulates, anddisplays the image data from the image data taking device 12 for dentaltreatment and surgery. The digital surgical scope 100 is substantiallydetached from the patient, and the digital surgical scope 100 includesan articulating mechanical arm for maneuvering the digital surgicalscope 10 three-dimensionally.

The method S1000 further includes steps (S1032) of deleting the images,exporting the images, importing images from outside of the system 100,multi-viewing, printing the images, and managing the images with adatabase, and the database is organized according to patients.

As shown in FIG. 9, the system 100 further includes a plurality ofdigital surgical scopes 10, a communication network 50 and one or morecontrols 32 for controlling the behavior of the image dataprocessing/storing device 30, and a detachable mirror or reflectingmaterial such as prism 13 disposed on a extended bar 11 from the digitalsurgical scope 10 for reflecting images from the inside of mouth to thedigital surgical scope 10 (refer to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11). The detachablemirror 13 is for reflecting the image of the hidden inside of mouth intothe digital surgical scope. The control 32 includes a button, a pedal,and a lever as shown in FIG. 1. The method S1000 further includes stepsof displaying the images on one or more remote displays 60 and streamingand broadcasting the images and videos through the communication network50 via internet, and controlling the behavior of the image data takingdevice 12 and the image data processing/storing device 30 with thecontrols as shown in FIG. 9.

The image data taking device 12 includes a charge coupled device (CCD)or a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS). The image dataprocessing/storing device 30 includes a computer and an imagecapturing/storing device.

The in-line illumination device 16 includes a light source 19, and abeam splitter 18, and the light source 19 includes a fiber optic device17 and emits light parallel to the optical axis 91 of the microscope 10.

The mirror or prism 15 changes the direction of the light from the lightsource 19 by ninety (90) degrees. Also, the light source 19 may emitdirectly to the beam splitter 18 without a mirror or prism 15. The beamsplitter 18 is disposed in the optical axis 91 of the microscope withforty five (45)-angles to the optical axis 91, and reflects the lightfrom the mirror or prism 15 to the object 90 and allows the light fromthe object 90 to the lens assembly 14 of the microscope 10 to pass.

The digital surgical scope 10 has an adjustable magnification up to onehundred twenty (120) times including optical and digital zoom.

The method S1000 further includes steps of creating a database ofinformation on a new patient S1018 and searching information or an examhistory on a predetermined old patient from the database S1016 as inFIG. 2.

Alternatively, a dental microscopic procedure, using a digital surgicalscope 100, includes steps for a) creating an entry in the database for anew patient (S1012); b) selecting a predetermined patient and retrievingthe related information from the database (S1016); c) displaying theretrieved information (S1014); d) creating a new exam for the patient(S1018); e) opening the exam history and selecting an exam of thepatient (S1024); f) capturing images (S1022); g) enhancing images(S1026); h) browsing a history of the patient (S1028); and i) selectingand performing functions on the images (S1032). The function includesdeleting, exporting, importing, multi-viewing, printing, and managingthe images with the database as shown in FIG. 2.

The step (S1100) of capturing images includes steps of c1) adjustinglive image quality by adjusting the camera controls, white balance, RGBcolor gamma value, viewing area, zoom in, zoom out, and full screen,wherein the camera control includes gain, offset, and exposure (S1102);c2) viewing the adjusted live image (S1104); c3) capturing a snapshotimage and a video clip (S1106); c4) controlling the capturing with afoot pedal or a button (S1110); c5) replaying the captured image orvideo (S1120); and c6) viewing details of the image or video (S1122) byselecting functions of deleting, saving, and refreshing (S1124) as shownin FIG. 3.

The step of enhancing images (S1200) includes steps of e1) adjusting theimage quality by controlling brightness, contrast, edge enhancement, andhistogram contrast (S1202); e2) analyzing the images to manipulate theimage to rotate, zoom in, zoom out, pan, magnify, and measuregeometrical dimension, and the geometrical dimension includes angles,lengths, distances between two points (S1208); and e3) annotating theimage for adding text and geometrical objects, and the geometricalobjects includes lines and shapes (S1212).

The step of browsing the history of patient (S1300) includes steps ofb1) showing all images in thumbnail format (S1308); b2) showing thedigital surgical microscope image and X-ray images (S1310); b3) showingthe comparison of the digital surgical microscope image and the X-rayimage (S1312); b4) comparing images by selecting multiple images andmulti-viewing (S1320); and b5) presenting a case for patient byselecting multiple images to present a possible treatment plan ortreatment result from previous problems (S1332).

While the invention has been shown and described with reference todifferent embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilledin the art that variations in form, detail, compositions and operationmay be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionas defined by the accompanying claims.

1. A method of dental microscopic procedure, using a digital surgicalscope comprising: 1) a digital surgical scope comprising a microscopelens assembly for magnifying an optical image of an object and anin-line illumination device for illuminating the object along the sameoptical axis and from the same direction of the microscope lensassembly; 2) an image data taking device; 3) an image dataprocessing/storing device for manipulating the image taken by themicroscope lens assembly and the image data taking device; and 4) one ormore displays for displaying the image from the image data processingdevice, comprising steps for: a) selecting a function of the digitalsurgical scope to perform; b) obtaining the corresponding images fromthe image data taking device or the image data processing/storingdevice; c) processing the images by the image data processing/storingdevice; and d) displaying the images on the displays, wherein the dentalsurgical treatment is done by seeing the images displayed on thedisplay; and wherein the function of the digital surgical scopecomprises steps of: a) capturing still images; b) streaming videoimages; c) enhancing images; d) replaying video images; e) browsing thehistory; and f) panning streaming video image on a window screen; andwherein the process of panning window comprises steps of: a) displayinga live window screen; b) locating an area from the live window screen;c) manipulating the located window; and d) displaying the manipulatedwindow screen, wherein the live window screen and the manipulated windowscreen are displayed simultaneously on the same display, wherein theprocess of manipulating comprises steps of scanning, magnifying, andzooming in and out, wherein the process of locating comprises steps oftracking a cursor of a predetermined geometrical shape and zoominginside the cursor.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the process ofcapturing images comprises of: a) adjusting quality of the image; b)capturing the adjusted image; and c) replaying the image until otherfunction is executed, wherein the captured image is stored in the imagedata processing/storing device.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein thequality of the image comprises: a) white balance; b) RGB color/Gammavalue; c) viewing area; d) zoom in/out; and e) full screen display,wherein the quality is also adjusted by controlling the gain, offset,and exposure of the image data taking device.
 4. The method of claim 2,wherein the process of capturing the adjusted image comprises steps ofcapturing a snap image or a video.
 5. The method of claim 2, wherein theprocess of capturing the adjusted image comprises of: a) deleting theimage; b) saving the image; and c) refreshing the image.
 6. The methodof claim 1, wherein the process of enhancing images comprises of: a)adjusting quality of the image; b) analyzing the image; and c)annotating the image, wherein the quality of the image comprisesbrightness, contrast, edge enhancement, and histogram contrast.
 7. Themethod of claim 6, wherein the process of analyzing the images comprisessteps to manipulate the image to: a) rotate; b) zoom in and zoom out; c)pan; d) measure geometrical dimension of the image; and e) magnify,wherein the process of manipulating comprises a step to control theamount of light to the digital surgical scope with an iris.
 8. Themethod of claim 6, wherein the process of annotating the image comprisesof adding: a) text; and b) geometrical objects, wherein the geometricalobject comprises lines and shapes.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein theprocess of browsing the history comprises of: a) showing all of thestored images in thumbnail format; b) showing the images taken from theimage data taking device along with images imported from outside of thesystem; c) comparing between the images from the image data takingdevice and the images from outside of the system; and d) selecting anddisplaying images out of the stored or displayed multiple images,wherein the image from outside of the system comprises X-ray examimages.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the process of browsing thehistory further comprises of: a) selecting one or more images from themultiple images stored in the image data processing/storing device; andb) showing the selected images on the displays.
 11. The method of claim1, wherein the image data processing/storing device stores, manipulates,and displays the image data from the image data taking device for dentaltreatment and surgery, wherein the digital surgical scope issubstantially detached from the patient, wherein the digital surgicalscope comprises an articulating mechanical arm for maneuvering thedigital surgical scope three-dimensionally.
 12. The method of claim 1,further comprising steps of: a) deleting the images; b) exporting theimages; c) importing images from outside of the system; d)multi-viewing; e) printing the images; and f) managing the images with adatabase, wherein the database is organized according to the patients.13. The method of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises: a) aplurality of digital surgical microscopes; b) a communication network;and c) one or more controls for controlling the behavior of the imagedata processing/storing device; and d) a detachable mirror disposed on aextended bar from the digital surgical scope for reflecting images fromthe inside of the mouth to the digital surgical scope, wherein thecontrol comprises a button, a pedal, and a lever.
 14. The method ofclaim 13, further comprising steps of: a) displaying the images on oneor more remote displays; b) streaming and broadcasting the images andvideos through the communication network via internet; and c)controlling the behavior of the image data taking device and the imagedata processing/storing device with the controls.
 15. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the image data taking device comprises a charge coupleddevice (CCD) or a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS),wherein the image data processing/storing device comprises a computer,wherein the in-line illumination device comprises a light source and abeam splitter, wherein the light source comprises a fiber optic deviceand emits light parallel to the optical axis of the microscope, whereinthe digital surgical scope further comprises a main box, a fiber opticcable, comprises the in-line lens assembly and an in-line illuminationdevice, wherein the main box comprises a power unit and the image datataking device, wherein the digital surgical scope has an adjustablemagnification up to one hundred twenty (120) times or more in nearfuture including optical and digital zoom.
 16. The method of claim 15,wherein the in-line illumination device further comprises a mirror or aprism, wherein the light source comprises a fiber optic device and emitslight parallel to the optical axis of the microscope, wherein the mirroror prism changes the direction of the light from the light source byninety (90) degrees or different angle, wherein the beam splitter isdisposed in the optical axis of the microscope with forty five (45) orninety (90) degree angles to the optical axis, wherein the beam splitterreflects the light from the mirror or prism to the object and allows thelight from the object to the lens assembly of the microscope to pass.17. The method of claim 1, further comprises steps of: a) creating adatabase of information on a new patient; and b) searching aninformation or an exam history on a predetermined existing patient fromthe database.